Ben Thanh Market: The Iconic Image of Saigon
The sheer number of goods can attack all five senses of those who visit. As one of the most extensive in all of Vietnam, Ben Thanh Market never seems to disappoint any shopaholic. Explore the iconic image of Saigon to get the best local shopping experiences and understand more about the city’s history.
Ben Thanh Market is a colorful example of how lively and fun visiting markets in Ho Chi Minh City can be. In addition to a wide variety of goods, the market is packed with vendors selling some most delicious of foods. You will find the whole world of bustling vibes here at Ben Thanh Market. Are you ready to get inside this more than a century-old market?
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Ben Thanh Market – The Iconic Image of Saigon
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For any Ho Chi Minh City tour, Ben Thanh Market is always on the bucket list. Ben Thanh Market is not just a place for trading, it’s a cultural hub that blends the old values with modern breath. In a country that markets are preferable to air-conditioned malls in terms of diversity and accessibility, you can discover a local way of life in an interesting way by visiting markets.
The original market was built in the early 17th century by the French colonial government. After a fire in 1870, the market was rebuilt and named Les Halles Centrales. However, some time between 1911, the market started to deteriorate significantly. People had no choice but to choose another location to move the market that later became Ben Thanh Market as you see today. The name Ben Thanh derives from the words ‘harbor’ and ‘citadel’.
Ben Thanh Market has successfully preserved its elaborate architecture over time, being one of the most important places in Ho Chi Minh City. The distinctive cream-colored market is conveniently situated on an intersection of four busy streets. The main entrance or the South Gate is on Le Loi Street, the North Gate faces Le Thanh Ton Street, the East Gate faces Phan Boi Chau Street, and the West Gate faces Phan Chau Trinh Street.
From Ben Thanh Market, it’s a cakewalk to reach nearby tourist sites in Ho Chi Minh City. If you are still in a shopping mood, head to Saigon Takashimaya. Don’t forget to visit some places to exchange currency in and around the market to get money to splurge on your favorite items. If you want to discover cultural sites, find your way to Mariamman Temple or Fine Art Museum.
A Guide to Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh market has a total area of about 13,000m². Visitors can spend 1-2 hours strolling through more than 1,500 booths to buy some souvenirs or enjoy local food experiences.
How to get to Ben Thanh Market
There are many options to reach Ben Thanh Market. You can get there by traditional taxi, book a driver through Grab, try local ‘Xe om’ (motorbike taxi) or ‘Xich lo’ (cyclo).
From Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the market can be easily accessed by bus No,.152. The cost is VND15,000. That is the cheapest way to travel around the city if you have plenty of time.
If you are about to experience ‘Xe om’ or ‘Xich lo’, be careful as some rude riders may scam you by saying a price that is much higher than the actual price. As a rule of thumb, always ask for the price before you go, and remember that bargaining in Vietnamese dong is a good bet.
» See more on Vietnam Travel Tips: Know Before You Go
Openings & directory
Ben Thanh Market opens all year round, usually starting from about 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM (the day market). After 6.00 PM, vendors at Ben Thanh Market set up stalls decorated with colorful lights along two sides of the market. Just as vibrant as the day market, the night market offers souvenirs and street food.
There are four main gates that feature specialty goods. The South Gate (the main entrance) is designated for garments, textiles, footwear, jewelry, and cosmetics. The North Gate is a typical wet market where you will find fresh fruits, fish, and typical Vietnamese dishes. If you want to find some food souvenirs to bring home, head to the East Gate where there are plenty of coffee beans, tea, candied fruits, roasted peanuts, etc. The West gate is on the opposite side with arts and ceramics.
If you want to exchange some Vietnamese dong, there are some good money changers inside and near Ben Thanh Market. Expect to find numerous money changers on Le Thanh Ton Street (outside the North Gate). You will get a better rate if you exchange money in great quantity.
Things to do
It is easy to sweat but it is hard to get bored if you choose to visit Ben Thanh Market. Going shopping is obviously the very first thing that comes to your mind. There are endless items to buy and even more things to do here.
Experience shopping in Vietnamese style
Any shopping experience in Saigon would be incomplete without hours in and around Ben Thanh Market. You will find almost everything here, from traditional clothing to ceramics, from silk to conical hats. Colorful items immediately catch your attention and exhaust you just for choosing what to buy.
You don’t have to hasten while finding something to buy. If you really like any item, don’t buy it at first glance. You should keep on going to some other stalls, you may find the same item at a much cheaper price. Don’t forget a smile when you refuse any offer from local sellers. If you can walk away with a few bargains, it will be a good memory in your Vietnam trip.
Enjoy Vietnamese local dishes
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Just like other markets across Vietnam, Ben Thanh Market is no short of fantastic dishes that make your mouth water. Never miss out on must-try dishes in Vietnam if you don’t want to leave Ben Thanh Market with a big mistake. There are dishes for everyone. The way it tastes is just as good as it looks.
The signature dish here is no doubt sweet soup dessert (Che). ‘Che’ is among the best street treats that deserve a special place in your heart. As you need to relax after a hard shopping day, a glass of iced sweet soup will cool you down in a place that never really gets cold but can get very hot.
Discover Ben Thanh Night Market
After 6.00 PM, the day market leaves space for the night market that usually operates until midnight. The night is somehow more interesting than daytime with shops of handicrafts, clothes, souvenirs, and food stalls that are all lit brightly. Ben Thanh Night Market is definitely a place to get an authentic taste of Saigon and avoid the scorching heat.
Nighttime may be a good time to enjoy some Banh xeo (sizzling pancakes) and join Vietnamese drinking culture. Feel free to grab a stool and enjoy Bia hoi (draft beer) on sidewalks. Don’t forget to order extra snacks and simply watch the world go by.
Visit nearby attractions
Thanks to its focal location, Ben Thanh Market is like a meeting point all rolled into one. You can easily reach famous tourist spots that are just within a walking distance. Take not of the following attractions:
♣ Saigon Center Takashimaya: If you think that Ben Thanh Market is better a place for Instagram pics than a place for shopping, you can always get back to your familiar shopping style at Saigon Center Takashimaya. This is one of the most lavish shopping centers in Ho Chi Minh City where shopaholics can spend a day. See more on Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City: Where to Shop & What to Buy.
♣ Le Cong Kieu Antique Street: This street is for all kinds of antiques, from the high-priced to the low-cost, from the shops to the pavements. The shops here will bring some really good experience for culture vultures and antique lovers.
♣ Fine Arts Museum: Extremely close to Ben Thanh Market, this museum is one of the best museums in Ho Chi Minh City to travel back time. The museum opens from Tuesday to Sunday, at 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM.
♣ Mariamman Temple: This temple is a sacred Hindu Temple in Ho Chi Minh City dedicated to the goddess of the Rain ‘Mariamman’. A religious ambiance will diversify your experiences, and it just takes you just some steps from Ben Thanh Market. There is no entrance fee, and you can visit the temple daily from 7.00 AM to 7.00 PM.
Every market throughout Ho Chi Minh City features an amazing selection of local street treats, unique handcrafted items, and cheerful vendors. There is no exception to Ben Thanh, and you will find it worth sweltering under the midday sun to get around this market. There are also Tan Dinh Market, Binh Tay Market, Ba Chieu Market, An Dong Market to explore your heart’s desire.
© Maika Tours
Written by Trinh Tran
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